The autumn wind of the twelfth year of Jian'an, carrying the damp cold of the Han River, swept over the city walls of Xinye. The drill ground north of the city became the epitome of this desolation. Withered yellow grass leaves were whirled around by the wind, falling on the cracked land only to be lifted again. Amidst the rustling sound, more than three thousand soldiers stood sparsely in crooked formations, like crops crushed by a violent storm.
On the high platform of the drill ground, Liu Bei wore a frayed gray brocade robe, his brows furrowed into a "river" shape. His gaze was firmly fixed on the scattered formation below, and his heart felt as heavy as if pressed by a boulder, making it difficult to breathe. He thought of the years he had spent fighting and wandering—raising troops in Zhuojun to suppress the Yellow Turbans, fighting Lü Bu, defecting to Cao Cao, relying on Yuan Shao, and now taking refuge under Liu Biao's command. The people around him had come and gone, but he had never been able to establish a truly stable foundation. These soldiers who followed him had endured too much hardship and suffering, crawling out of the piles of dead men after defeats time and again. They had long lost their initial fighting spirit. But if the hearts of the people remained so scattered, once Cao Cao's army pressed down on the border, not to mention the great cause of restoring the Han Dynasty, even Xinye City, the people in the city, and the brothers around him would probably perish together. A deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart, making his originally straight back slightly hunched.
Beside him, Guan Yu narrowed his phoenix eyes, his slender fingers gently stroking the long beard hanging on his chest, his face as gloomy as rain. The Green Dragon Crescent Blade leaned obliquely against the railing, its blade covered with a thin layer of dust, yet it still couldn't hide its intimidating cold light. As a general who had experienced countless battles, he had always believed in iron discipline, but at this moment, looking at the soldiers with numb eyes below, he couldn't feel the slightest bit of blame in his heart.
"Elder Brother!" Zhang Fei's heavy voice broke the solemnity of the high platform. He stood with his hands on his hips, veins bulging on his forehead, and his chest heaving violently, obviously holding back a lot of anger. "These men just need a good beating! Let me whip them a few times, and I guarantee every one of them will stand straight!" Although his words were fierce, there was a hint of anxiety hidden deep in his eyes.
He was not afraid of charging into battle or dying on the battlefield. What he feared most was watching this army collapse, seeing Elder Brother's painstaking efforts go to waste, and watching his brothers fall one by one. In his opinion, fists were the most effective way to deal with such a lax temperament. But the moment he spoke, seeing Liu Bei's gloomy expression, he couldn't help pausing, and his tone was filled with eager justification: "Elder Brother, it's not that I'm cruel. If we don't discipline them now, we'll all be doomed when the Wei army comes!"
Liu Bei raised his hand to stop him, his voice low and hoarse: "Yide, don't be in a hurry."
Zhang Fei stamped his feet anxiously, his coarse cloth boots thudding loudly on the wooden planks of the high platform, but he didn't step forward after all. He knew Elder Brother's thoughts and also understood the difficulties of these soldiers, but the war waited for no one. He really couldn't think of any other way, so he could only flush red in the face, snort heavily, and turn his gaze to the distant horizon, as if he wanted to stare two holes in the yet-to-appear Wei army.
Guan Yu spoke slowly, his tone as heavy as a bell, full of deep thought: "What Third Brother said is not unreasonable, but the soldiers' morale has already collapsed. Beating and scolding will only chill their hearts. If the hearts of the people are scattered, the army will truly be unable to unite." He looked at Liu Bei, his eyes filled with inquiry and a hint of expectation, hoping to see a solution from this elder brother.
Liu Bei sighed, his gaze falling back on the soldiers below, full of helplessness and regret: "How can I beat and scold my own brothers? But if the hearts of the people are not united, what will happen to Xinye... to the great cause of restoring the Han Dynasty?" He felt a sense of confusion, as if he were in boundless darkness, unable to see the slightest light.
At this moment, a light and steady sound of footsteps came, like a ray of light piercing the darkness, breaking the solemnity of the high platform. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei turned their heads at the same time and saw Zhuge Liang wearing a black long gown, holding a white feather fan, walking calmly up the high platform. His robe fluttered gently in the autumn wind, exuding a calm and reassuring demeanor, as if the desolate autumn wind made way for him.
Seeing Zhuge Liang's figure, Liu Bei's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had grabbed a lifeline. He knew that this newly emerged Wolong might be able to solve his current predicament. A hint of expectation also flashed in Guan Yu's eyes. Although he did not believe in metaphysics and other things, he admired Zhuge Liang's wisdom and demeanor. Zhang Fei curled his lips, still thinking that military training relied on real drills, but remembering Elder Brother's trust in Zhuge Liang, he suppressed the doubts in his heart.
"Lord, Second General, Third General." Zhuge Liang bowed respectfully, shaking his white feather fan lightly. His gaze swept over the soldiers below, and there was no trace of disgust in his eyes, only understanding and certainty. He had long expected the situation in the Xinye military camp. Repeated defeats and taking refuge under others made the dispersion of military morale inevitable. Simple drills could not cure the root cause. Only by awakening their beliefs from the root and uniting their minds could this army truly regain vitality.
"Mr. Kongming, you're finally here!" Liu Bei stepped forward quickly, his tone eager and expectant. "Now the military morale is scattered, and the soldiers have no fighting spirit at all. I wonder what good strategy you have?"
The low morale of the soldiers is not something that happened overnight. Simple drills of formations and wielding weapons will be difficult to be effective." Zhuge Liang smiled slightly, his tone calm yet full of undeniable power. "Today, I will arrange a metaphysical formation. It will not only enhance their combat effectiveness, but also unite their hearts, making them rekindle their fighting spirit from the bottom of their bones."
"A metaphysical formation?" Zhang Fei was stunned for a moment, his brows furrowed even tighter. He subconsciously thought this was mysterious and unreliable, and couldn't help muttering in his heart that it would be more practical for him to lead the soldiers to charge once. But looking at Zhuge Liang's determined expression and remembering Elder Brother's previous instructions, he finally didn't say the words of doubt, only snorted heavily as a sign of acquiescence.
A flash of thought crossed Guan Yu's phoenix eyes, and he nodded: "What Mr. said is extremely true. When people are united, they can move mountains. But I wonder who can be the formation eye to stabilize this Spirit-Gathering Formation?" Although he knew little about metaphysics, he understood that the key to a formation was the formation eye. If the formation eye was unstable, no matter how good the formation was, it would be useless.
Zhuge Liang's gaze crossed the formation and fell on Zhao Yun, who stood solemnly on the side of the drill ground. Zhao Yun wore silver armor, his figure as straight as a pine tree. Even in the decadent atmosphere, he still exuded an awe-inspiring integrity. "General Zilong," Zhuge Liang said firmly. "General Zilong is highly skilled in martial arts, calm in temperament, and has pure internal energy in his body. He is most suitable for guiding and stabilizing the spiritual energy in the formation and setting an example for the soldiers."
Hearing this, Zhao Yun stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and his voice was sonorous and powerful: "This general is willing to obey Mr.'s dispatch!" There was no hesitation in his heart. Since following Liu Bei, he had always kept the restoration of the Han Dynasty and the protection of the people in his heart. Now that the military camp's morale was scattered, he had long been anxious. As long as he could make the army regain vitality, not to mention being the formation eye, even if he had to go through fire and water, he would not hesitate. Moreover, he trusted Zhuge Liang's wisdom and believed that this gentleman could lead everyone out of the predicament.
In the afternoon of that day, Zhuge Liang took Zhao Yun and several personal soldiers to carefully survey the drill ground. Holding his white feather fan, on which faint spiritual light flowed, he walked slowly. The tip of the fan glowed with a faint blue light, perceiving the direction of the underground spiritual veins like a detector. He sometimes stopped to concentrate, closing his eyes to feel the fluctuation of spiritual energy, and quickly deduced the distribution and direction of the spiritual veins in his mind; sometimes he bent down to touch the ground, his fingertips sliding over the cracked lines, feeling the faint but real spiritual energy underground. Although Xinye was small, it was located in a strategic position in Jingxiang. There was just a wisp of spiritual vein under the drill ground. Although it was not enough to support large-scale metaphysics, it was sufficient to activate the potential in the soldiers' bodies. This was the key reason why he chose to arrange the formation here.
Zhuge Liang stopped in the center of the drill ground and signaled his personal soldiers to draw the formation map on the ground with cinnabar. He chose to set up the Spirit-Gathering Formation based on the Big Dipper. The seven stars corresponded to the order of the circulation of heaven and earth's spiritual energy. It could not only gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but also make the soldiers' auras resonate with each other, fundamentally uniting their minds. He accurately marked seven positions in the drill ground, corresponding to Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang respectively. A fist-sized spiritual vein stone was embedded in each position—collected by him specially from the spiritual vein nodes of Wolonggang before leaving the mountain. It was entirely pale blue, containing faint spiritual energy, and could gather the scattered spiritual energy between heaven and earth like a depression that collects water.
"General Zilong, this is the Spiritual Connection Jade Pendant." Zhuge Liang took out a warm white jade pendant from his arms and handed it over. The pendant was carved with intricate runes, glowing with a soft halo in the sun. "Wear it at your waist. It can help you resonate with the spiritual veins and the soldiers, stabilize the formation eye, and avoid the disorder of spiritual energy."
Zhao Yun took the jade pendant and felt a warm touch as soon as he held it. A faint warm current spread from his palm, faintly echoing with the internal energy in his body. The originally somewhat stagnant aura suddenly became much smoother. He admired Zhuge Liang's ability even more in his heart, and also strengthened his determination to hold the formation eye. He knew that his position as the formation eye was the core of the entire Spirit-Gathering Formation. Once something went wrong, not only would the formation fail, but it might also hurt the soldiers. He had to be fully focused and not slack off in the slightest.
Next, Zhuge Liang divided the three thousand soldiers into seven teams according to their age, stamina, and physical fitness, each with about five hundred men, led by experienced veterans. He personally assigned positions to each team, and had the prepared cloth strips painted with simple runes distributed to the soldiers. "This cloth strip has been soaked in spiritual vein water. The runes on it can help you sense spiritual energy faster and reduce the difficulty of entering the formation." Zhuge Liang's voice was clear, spreading to every corner of the drill ground. "Before the drill, you must bathe and change clothes, abandon all distractions, and only think of the word 'unity' in your heart. Only then can you connect with the spiritual energy and resonate with your comrades-in-arms."
Early the next morning, the sky was just dawning, and the east was turning pale. The drill ground was already lined up neatly. The soldiers had all changed into clean coarse cloth clothes, with rune cloth strips tied around their waists. There was a hint of curiosity and anxiety in their eyes. No one dared to talk casually anymore, and even their breathing was consciously lightened. Zhuge Liang stood in the center of the formation, wearing a black long gown, holding the white feather fan lightly in his hand. The morning light shone on him, as if he was coated with a layer of golden light. Zhao Yun stood at the Tianshu position as the formation eye, his silver armor shining brightly in the morning light, and the Spiritual Connection Pendant emitted a soft white light, echoing the spiritual vein stones on the ground from a distance. The seven teams of soldiers occupied the other six positions respectively, forming the shape of the Big Dipper. Although the formation was still not perfect, everyone consciously straightened their backs, no longer the decadence of yesterday.
"Everyone, listen to my order, calm your mind and steady your breath." Zhuge Liang shook his white feather fan lightly, his voice carrying a strange reassuring power, as if it could penetrate people's eardrums and reach the bottom of their hearts. "Inhale in accordance with the spiritual veins, exhale in harmony with the formation. Follow my formula to adjust your breathing—inhale for heaven, exhale for earth, qi permeates the four limbs, hearts connect with each other."
He recited the Spirit-Gathering Heart Method, his voice not loud but clearly reaching every soldier's ears. The white feather fan rotated slowly, and the tip of the fan pointed to the seven spiritual vein stones. Those pale blue spiritual vein stones gradually glowed with faint blue light, like sleeping fireflies being awakened. The faint spiritual energy between heaven and earth was slowly drawn, converging like small streams towards the center of the drill ground. Zhuge Liang knew in his heart that the key to this Spirit-Gathering Formation was not only the gathering of spiritual energy, but also the unity of the soldiers' minds. What he could do was to build a bridge for spiritual energy resonance, and what could truly stabilize this bridge was the belief in the soldiers' hearts.
The soldiers only felt that the surrounding air gradually became warm and moist, no longer the damp and cold of yesterday, as if an invisible air current was wrapping around their bodies. Some people consciously adjusted their breathing according to the formula. When inhaling, a cool air poured into their bodies through their nostrils, and the fatigue from days of fighting seemed to ease a bit; when exhaling, they felt the stagnant turbid qi in their bodies being discharged, making them feel comfortable all over, and their originally stiff shoulders also relaxed a lot. The initial doubt was gradually replaced by surprise. They began to seriously adjust their breathing according to the formula, and the distractions in their hearts slowly dissipated.
"General Zilong, guide the qi into the formation." Zhuge Liang ordered.
Zhao Yun clenched the Spiritual Connection Pendant, circulated the internal energy in his body, and the warm current in his dantian spread to his whole body along the meridians, connecting with the spiritual energy of the spiritual vein stones, like an invisible bond leading the flow of spiritual energy in the formation. A soft faint light emanated from his body, and the spiritual energy spread to the seven teams of soldiers along his breath, like flowing water.
The first team of soldiers moved according to the order. As soon as they stepped down, they felt a more intense spiritual energy pouring in from the soles of their feet. Their arms suddenly gained more strength, and their hands holding the weapons also became much steadier. But there were still a few people who, due to nervousness, had chaotic breathing rhythms, and the spiritual energy fluctuated immediately, making them stumble. Seeing this, Zhuge Liang tapped lightly with his white feather fan, and streaks of soft blue light shot towards those soldiers, helping them adjust their breath: "Don't be in a hurry. Synchronize your breathing with your footsteps, clear your mind, and think of the comrades around you. Only then can you resonate with the spiritual energy in the formation."
Those soldiers stabilized their figures and quickly adjusted their breathing again according to the formula. This time, they deliberately slowed down the rhythm and followed the breathing frequency of the people around them. Sure enough, they felt the spiritual energy flowing smoothly again, and their whole bodies felt warm, as if soaking in warm water. The tension and doubt in their hearts completely disappeared, replaced by curiosity and desire for this magical power.
Watching this scene, a hint of approval flashed in Zhuge Liang's eyes. He knew that the Spirit-Gathering Formation had initially taken effect. The soldiers had not only activated the potential in their bodies, but more importantly, they had felt each other's auras and the power of unity. This power was more effective in uniting people's hearts than any strict discipline.
"Very good!" Zhuge Liang's tone was encouraging. "Now, practice the formation transformation! Tianshu remains stationary, and the other six teams move according to the circulation of the Big Dipper!"
Zhao Yun firmly guarded the formation eye, and the light of the Spiritual Connection Pendant became brighter, guiding the spiritual energy to flow with the formation transformation, like an invisible bridge connecting every soldier. The soldiers stepped in unison, as if they were a single entity. The seven teams cooperated with each other, sometimes gathering like a clenched fist, sometimes dispersing like a net, sometimes interspersing like a wandering dragon. The formation transformation was smooth without any stagnation.
"Fight bravely against the enemy!" Someone shouted first, his voice loud and full of long-suppressed release.
Immediately afterwards, a neat and uniform shout echoed on the drill ground, shaking the surrounding plants and trees to rustle, and startling the sparrows on the branches. This shout was no longer the listlessness of before, but full of strength and confidence, piercing the sky and echoing over Xinye City for a long time.
On the high platform, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei watched dumbfounded. They clearly saw that the soldiers who were originally scattered were now reborn. Their speed and stamina had increased several times compared to before, and their strength had also increased by 20%. The seven teams of soldiers advanced and retreated in coordination, with a tight formation and an imposing manner. Where was there any sign of defeated soldiers?
Liu Bei was so excited that he clenched his hands tightly, his knuckles turning white, and tears flickered in his eyes. He felt the majestic power of unity and the hope of restoring the Han Dynasty. Having Kongming was really like a fish getting water! With this formation and these soldiers, what was there to fear from Cao Cao's army! The previous confusion and powerlessness were swept away, replaced by unprecedented firmness and excitement.
Half an hour later, Zhuge Liang ordered the formation to be withdrawn. The soldiers stopped their movements, their chests heaving slightly, but they showed no sign of fatigue. Instead, everyone had a ruddy complexion and bright eyes, showing a long-lost fighting spirit and vitality. They looked at Zhuge Liang in the center of the formation, and there was no longer any doubt in their eyes, only deep admiration and conviction. Many people consciously straightened their chests, their backs straighter than before.
Zhuge Liang smiled and raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. The drill ground immediately fell silent, and all eyes were focused on him. "Every soldier, it's not that the formation is magical, but that you yourselves contain infinite potential." His voice was solemn yet gentle. "Over the years, you have followed the lord to fight everywhere, enduring countless hardships, but you have never truly given up. This perseverance is the most powerful strength. This Spirit-Gathering Formation only helps you activate your potential, and the real strength comes from your unity and the loyalty and righteousness in your hearts."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over every excited face, his tone becoming more firm: "Although Cao Cao's army is strong, with many soldiers and generals, and abundant provisions, they are unjust and have lost the hearts of the people; although we are weak, we have loyal and righteous hearts and a soul of unity. As long as we are united in heart and steady in formation, relying on the Spirit-Gathering Formation, we will surely defeat the strong with the weak, defend Xinye, protect the people in the city, and guard the land under our feet!"
"Defend Xinye! Defeat the traitor Cao!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices loud and earth-shaking, like thunder rolling, echoing over Xinye City for a long time. There was no longer the fear and numbness of before in this shout, only firm belief and high fighting spirit.
This shout alarmed the people in the city. Many people ran to the city walls and the periphery of the drill ground to look curiously. When they saw the faint blue light curtain on the drill ground, the soldiers' energetic and high-spirited appearance, and heard the earth-shaking shout, the originally anxious mood gradually stabilized. The seeds of hope were quietly sown in the hearts of the people.
Three days later, the neat shout echoed again on the drill ground. Under Zhao Yun's leadership, the soldiers skillfully practiced the Spirit-Gathering Formation. A blue spiritual energy light curtain covered the drill ground. The soldiers moved in perfect unison, like a single person—swinging knives, stabbing spears, and transforming formations in one go, with an imposing manner.
Liu Bei walked to Zhuge Liang's side, bowed respectfully, his tone full of gratitude: "Mr. Kongming, now the military heart is united, and the combat effectiveness has greatly increased. Xinye finally has the strength to fight! I, Liu Bei, will never forget your kindness!" The stone in his heart finally fell to the ground, and he was full of confidence in the future.
Zhuge Liang shook his white feather fan lightly, his gaze falling on the high-spirited soldiers on the drill ground, and a hint of firmness flashed in his eyes: "My lord, you are too kind. Protecting the country and the people is my duty. The Spirit-Gathering Formation is only the first step. Next, I will combine the formation to teach the soldiers tactics of coordinated combat, and supplement it with Mohist mechanism techniques to improve weapons and equipment and enhance defensive fortifications. I will definitely make Cao Cao's army come and go, and make Xinye a solid foundation for your lord to restore the Han Dynasty."
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also stepped forward. Zhang Fei laughed loudly, his tone full of excitement: "Don't worry, Mr.! I, Zhang Fei, can't wait to try the power of this Spirit-Gathering Formation! I will definitely let the Wei army know that our soldiers in Xinye are not easy to mess with!"
Guan Yu also nodded: "Mr. just make your plans, and Third Brother and I will fully cooperate to defend Xinye."
Zhuge Liang looked at the high-spirited soldiers on the drill ground and the monarchs and ministers who were of one mind beside him, and his heart was full of confidence. He knew that the Spirit-Gathering Formation not only united the military strength of Xinye, but also ignited the hope of restoring the Han Dynasty. This small Xinye City would become the first battlefield where he assisted Liu Bei, and this Spirit-Gathering Formation would also shine brightly in the upcoming Battle of Bowangpo soon, letting the world know the power of Wolong and letting Cao Cao know that in this chaotic world, there was still a force that could not be underestimated.
On the drill ground, the soldiers' shouts still echoed, interweaving with the laughter of the people in the city, forming the most touching movement of Xinye City. In this chaotic world, this border town, because of Zhuge Liang's arrival and a magical Spirit-Gathering Formation, finally ignited a blazing fire to resist the powerful enemy and guard the homeland.